U.S. Senate Candidate Convicted of Harassing Airbnb Tenant with Live Tarantula

Marisa Simonetti, 32, was found guilty of assault and harassment for throwing a live spider down the stairs to an Airbnb unit in Edina, Minnesota.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:03pm

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Marisa Simonetti, a Minnesota political candidate running for U.S. Senate, was found guilty of misdemeanor harassment, domestic assault, and disorderly conduct for throwing a live tarantula down the stairs to an Airbnb unit she was renting to a tenant, Jacklyn Vasquez, in 2024. Simonetti claimed she was inspired by the movie "Home Alone" and was trying to force Vasquez to leave the unit.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing tensions between short-term rental hosts and tenants, as well as the lengths some individuals may go to in order to force someone out of a property. It also raises questions about the appropriate use of force and the line between creative problem-solving and criminal behavior.

The details

According to court documents, Simonetti and Vasquez got into a dispute after Vasquez asked about hiring a pest control company to address "large spiders" in the unit. On June 21, 2024, Simonetti was caught on video throwing a live tarantula down the stairs to Vasquez's unit, after previously shutting off the home's internet and entering the unit. Simonetti claimed she was trying to force Vasquez to leave the unit, which was not legally allowed as a short-term rental in Edina.

  • On June 21, 2024, Simonetti threw the live tarantula down the stairs to Vasquez's Airbnb unit.
  • On March 13, 2026, Simonetti was found guilty of misdemeanor harassment, domestic assault, and disorderly conduct.

The players

Marisa Simonetti

A 32-year-old Minnesota political candidate who was running for a seat on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners at the time of the incident and is now running for U.S. Senate as an independent.

Jacklyn Vasquez

The Airbnb tenant who was renting space in Simonetti's basement and studying for the bar exam when the incident occurred.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just sitting up here ... thinking this is not going to go well.”

— Marisa Simonetti (NBC News)

“If I'm scared or hurt, I try and make jokes. And I was so scared, I was just like, I didn't know what to do, and so, yeah, I got the spider.”

— Marisa Simonetti (NBC News)

“I desperately wanted to [leave] but couldn't because Simonetti created 'a hostile environment. ... I didn't refuse to leave. Only when she was arrested, I fled.”

— Jacklyn Vasquez (NBC News)

What’s next

Simonetti is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for clear guidelines and regulations around short-term rentals, as well as the importance of addressing conflicts between hosts and tenants through lawful and ethical means, rather than resorting to harassment or violence.